contributions from Mike Safford, Photos from Liza Safford
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Klamath Falls Falcons (5-7) fell to Gunderson Baseball in three consecutive games and lost against the Hillsdale Merchants over the weekend. Here is how each game unfolded.
GAME 1 (SATURDAY): GUNDERSON 15, KLAMATH FALLS 11
In Game 1, the Falcons took advantage of four first-inning walks, plus a 2-run Price single to take a 5-2 lead. However, GBA took advantage of seven KF errors to score seven unearned runs – using a 4-run fourth and a 4-run sixth to pull away. Garrett Fensler tossed six innings of relief for the win, striking out six. Mark Carpenter was 3-for-3 with two RBI, with Price going 2-for-3 with three RBI in the loss.
GAME 2 (SATURDAY): GUNDERSON 11, KLAMATH FALLS 2
In the nightcap, the Falcons grabbed a 2-1 lead in the first on a long 2-run homer to left-center by Marcos Ulloa-Ford – but GBA scored 10 unanswered runs to close the game. Kobe Sparks was 3-for-4 and Landon McKey was 2-for-5 with a two-run triple in the win, with starter Conor Beard striking out 10 batters in the victory. Price and Ian Meyer each had two hits in the loss.
GAME 3 (SUNDAY): GUNDERSON 1, KLAMATH FALLS 0
In the opener, Carson McNally handcuffed Klamath – throwing a complete game 3-hitter – as the Falcons had one true scoring chance. Ryan Douglas was hit by a pitch and Max Price singled – but the duo was left stranded at second and third following a line out. In the sixth, Kobe Sparks reached on an infield and moved to second on a wild pitch. On the next pitch, the ball was lodged in the chest protector of Falcons backstop, Jacoby Tacchini – with the resulting error moving Sparks to third. An out later, Carson Miller lifted a sacrifice fly to score the lone run of the game. Price was 2-for-3 for the Falcons, with P.J. Safford taking the loss – despite not allowing an earned run in two innings of work. Lance McKey had two hits for GBA.
GAME 4 (SUNDAY): HILLSDALE 3, KLAMATH FALLS 2
Ulloa-Ford was dominant, cruising through his three innings of work – but was matched by the Merchants Ryan Brock – who tossed a complete game 8-hitter, striking out seven. The Portland squad scored a pair of runs on sacrifice flies from Teague Zimmer and Everett Luebberstadt in the fourth to grab a 2-0 lead, but the Falcons chipped away at the deficit. In the bottom of the inning, Carpenter and Ulloa-Ford each singled, moved up 90-feet on a wild pitch, with Kollin Tacchini plating a run on a sacrifice fly. An inning later, Ian Meyer led off with a single, was sacrificed to second and scored the tying run on a Price RBI single. The Merchants took the lead in the seventh, as a one-out single by Owen Eggert was followed by a Reece Fisher walk. The next batter, Dustin Doherty, lined a single, just out of the reach of Carpenter – with Eggert retreating initially, thinking the Falcons shortstop caught the ball. Unfortunately for Klamath, the ball was bobbled in left field – allowing Eggert to score the go-ahead run. The Falcons got the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the inning, but Brock coaxed a ground out to end the game. Carpenter went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and Meyer had his second multi-hit game of the weekend. Corbin Hamilton took the loss, throwing three innings, allowing an unearned run on five hits, fanning three. Doherty was 3-for-4 in the win for Hillsdale.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Falcons begin Area 4 league play on Wednesday when they welcome the Eugene Challengers (5-1; 16-5) to Kiger Stadium. This double-header will be broadcast on 104.3 FM and 960 AM with free live video on https://www.mybasin.com/falcons/. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. After the home date with Eugene, the Falcons travel to Medford for the Coach K Classic Tournament from June 27th – 30th.
